Pearl Harbor and When In Hawai'i . . . 12 - 30 - 2008

Today, we went Pearl Harbor AGAIN! I had decided last night I was not going, nor was Kaiya! Kaiya is too little to ever remember and I didn't really need to add notch #4 to my belt of trips to Pearl Harbor! But, I went! We arrived at 9:3o a.m. and stood in line for our ticket to the boat for the Memorial. Our ticket was for the 12:30 - 12:45 p.m. boat! We spent the following time waiting at the memorial for our boat!

Killing Time Taking a Picture

The two Pearl Harbor Survivors we met.

How we spent most of our time!

To be honest, I truly enjoy going to the Memorial, I just HATE the WAIT for the movie and the boat!! If we could cut those out, I would be happy!! They are always a killer! One must definitely be sure to visit the memorial, I even recommend going SEVERAL times in your life if you can! But, try to leave any attitude at home . . . I forgot that rule and had a bit of attitude for the first hour of being there!!


We were able to meet two Pearl Harbor Survivors, got a picture, and chatted for a moment! I personally thought that was pretty neat! And, as always, I had to hold back tears during the movie previous to boarding the boat for the memorial!

We were suppose to hit up the PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center) on our way home! However, we were all too POOPED to pop! And, it was raining . . . tip on RAIN in Hawaii LATER!!! So, we ditched that for tomorrow after our trip to the Dolphin Encounter!



At home, we let the kids hit the pool for a swim before dinner!!




Local Tip for RAIN - - my tip on rain when in Hawaii! Go on with your plans! If you wait for a day with no rain, you will never do anything and spend your entire time in your hotel!! Do as I learned to do while living here . . . GO TO THE BEACH anytime except for when there is LIGHTENING and THUNDER!! Which, in Hawaii, you rarely have lightening and thunder with the storms!! If you are at the beach and it is raining, wait 5 minutes and it will probably stop! The point, it rains nearly daily in Hawaii . . . if you wait five minutes, the sun will come out and ten minutes after that it will rain again!! Unless you are MADE of SUGAR . . . DON'T WORRY about the RAIN!!!
Plus, the rain cloud help block out the harmful sun rays and your likelihood of turning into a RED CRAB deminish!! The sun in Hawaii is totally different than other places . . . you burn fast and easy in Hawaii on sunny days! Enjoy the rain!!

Aloha!

We have traveled to Hawaii on December 26 for a visit with the Grammy and Granddad! We came with our Triple M cousins. Dad will be joining us on New Years Eve! We have had quite a bit of fun! So much fun that Kaiya was falling asleep standing up tonight!!

We have been to BYU-Hawaii! Simi, you asked about changes! We haven't it made it inside the campus. Just drove around the little circle because the Aloha center etc. was locked!! Let me just say, LOTS HAS CHANGED since I was here last!! I intend to take pictures of all the changes since I graduated, just to document! So, I may post those later!!

First, there is a beautiful area at Temple Beach that is fenced in and designated as a quiet reflection area! I will have to take a picture of the once vacant lot of grass and weed! I couldn't tell from driving past if you can still access Temple beach from the lot. It almost looked like you couldn't because I could see a fence on the border of the lawn and beach! Surely, there would have to at least be a gate, right??

Next, the new wall, sidewalk, lighting leading to the Temple from Kam Highway is gorgeous! Wow, it makes the town look so much better! There is no longer a place in front of the temple to pull in and park, they have turned it into a "round about!"

They have built a new student housing office! It is located by the new (well, new in 2002) stake center on your way to TVA! It caught me off guard to see a building between the Stake Center and the School of Education!

According to my mom, they have placed "machines that dispense videos like a soda" in the Aloha Center! She asked if ever got a video from them . . . I WISH! Too bad that technology didn't exist when I was here! Instead we walked to Foodland if we wanted to rent a video!! Very convenient I say!! Improvement right there on student entertainment!!!

Finally, the other fantastic change is the entrance to the campus! It is done in the same rock wall styling as the wall leading to the temple! When I arrived in 1996, it was just a board painted brown with the words BYU Hawaii in white writing!! They have reconfigured the little circle a little bit. I can't put my finger on it since it was dark and a quick pass through, but there is something different from 2002 when I left!!

Hawaii is beautiful as ever! I will say this, there is LOTS of development going on on the North Shore! I am not quite sure I like it . . . but, oh well! Lots of very modern house have been put in where the homes I was use to seeing up and down the north shore use to stand!! I guess things have to change . . . . and improvement does come with it!

We have had TWO of the power outages we were so use to as students! The power went out about 6:30 p.m. on the 26th and didn't come on again until 4:30 a.m. on the 27th! Kaiya and I were startled to consciousness with the T.V. and every light in the condo flipping on! Initially, I thought it was my mom trying to get us up early to head to the swap meet!! Again this morning through mid afternoon the power was out again on the entire island! Insane!

It has been raining off and on again with not even a half hour break since we arrived!! I LOVE THE RAIN IN HAWAII!! I love how it is still warm!! The island is still beautiful!!

Tomorrow, we are headed to Church on campus! We will attend the single student ward my parents go to, which is to be combined with two other student wards because of the holiday and low numbers of students still on campus! It should be fun to go! We shall see! We will attend sacrament there and then hop over to the student family ward for primary and nursery!



I have tried several times to upload a few pictures . . . NO LUCK!! So, I will have to attempt to do it later . . . or wait to we arrive home!!

Christmas at Uncle Cary's!

Christmas Night, the Triple M Cousins joined us in AZ to head to Hawaii the next morning! We headed to Uncle Cary's for some DELICIOUS FOOD! Can I just say, my brother can cook! Whether it be Buffalo Meat Spaghetti, Mac Salad, BBQ ribs, or his latest invention . . . he is a fabulous cook! So, we feasted on his mac salad, ham, chips and dip (no dinner at Uncle Cary's is complete without that), and an ALL - TIME FAMILY FAVORITE - RITZ CRACKER MINI PIZZAS! I splurged and had a TON! I think it has been at least 5 years since I had them . . . I plain totally forgot about them! They were delicious!! THANK YOU UNCLE CARY for the delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner . . . plus dinner on Christmas Eve! Yummy!!

Then, we enjoyed some more present unwrapping! It was lots of fun! Here are a few picture highlighting the event!

Christmas Report!

We had a fabulous Christmas at our house! We were awaken by Kaiya around 7:47 a.m. with a Santa didn't come to our house. I asked if she was certain, her response YES! So, I told her we should go turn on the lights and investigate!! With the lights on, the realization that Santa did not skip us hit! However, her reaction was not at all what I expected it to be!

Kaiya has told everyone who has asked that Santa was bringing two things, a horse barn and barbies! I thought she would have jumped five feet in the air at her horse barn, but no. Instead we have no reaction to any thing that is in plain sight! She ignores all of that and goes straight for the presents Santa wrapped! Upon unwrapping a present, she states what it is, puts it to the side and heads for the next unwrapped present! I was starting to think it had all FLOPPED!! Finally, after everything is visible, we got excited over the barbie townhouse and the barn. But, it wasn't an over the top drama sort of excitement! She has had a blast this Christmas!

The most important part is we spent it together, enjoyed each other's company, and had a good day! Uncle Cary invited us down for Christmas Eve Dinner. Yummy! We spent an enjoyable evening eating his Macaroni Salad, Ham, Rolls, and his ever popular staple of all events chips and dip!! ! This morning, just after Kaiya's successful opening of all wrapped Santa gifts, Uncle Cary rang the door bell! So, we got to share the excitement of actually paying attention to her presents with him. After the excitement wained a little, we went back to Uncle Cary's house for some well needed BREAKFAST! It was the traditional breakfast of Uncle Cary, maple syrup sausage, hash browns, eggs (cooked to your order), bacon, toast, and orange juice! Of course, no meal with Uncle Cary is complete without RANCH DRESSING! He has previously introduced it to Kaiya, but shared it in ALL NEW WAYS this morning! We hung out with Uncle Cary till past noon, when we returned with all our goodies from him!

We are currently waiting the arrival of the Triple M cousins! Once they are here, we will head back to Uncle Cary's house to open presents with them! Then, it will be home to bed because we have to wake up EARLY tomorrow to go see Grammy and Granddad!! Yeah!!!

Well, here are a few pictures from our exciting morning!! We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We will see you in a few weeks!

(Note: I swore I took tons more pictures than that . . . but, I didn't! And, isn't it funny how the parents are busy videoing and picture taking while the kid and the Uncle have fun!! I guess that is what Uncles are for! I sure am glad Uncle Cary was happy to hang around us so much! Next year: more pictures of events and more with parents in them!!)

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!!

I am hoping to fall asleep again before Kaiya wakes up. Yep! Went to bed around 2 a.m. About an hour ago my eyes popped open, with no sleep to return. I got tired of laying in bed . . . . so, here I am wishing you all a Merry Christmas!! Santa, if you could stop back by our house and leave some sleep for me, I would appreciate it!

Christmas Traditions

As previously stated, my mom has made each of her granddaughters a pair of Christmas shoes at some point in their childhood. Kaiya lucked out and got a pair this year! I realized I didn't take a close up picture of the shoes, and I need to for Kaiya memory later in life.

Special Kaiya Edition of

Grammy's Christmas Shoes!

There is one other tradition my mom has done for her grandchildren ever since she became a Grammy. That tradition is the 12 days of Christmas, and each year on Christmas eve, the kids get a whole new SET of the Nativity! How great is that to rehearse the nativity story on Christmas Eve! Plus, they will end up with lots of beautiful nativities for when they grow up and into their own home! It all started with the 1st beautiful granddaughter, Morgan. There was one exception that I know of made, I lucked out two years and got the twelve days of Christmas too, which helped build up my Christmas decor. Then, Kaiya came and it ended again! So, here are a few pictures of the 12 days of Christmas this year! I will keep adding pictures as we go . . . instead of making a whole new post!!

1st Day of Christmas My Grammy gave to me . . . .

Butterfly Goo Candy

2nd Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to me . . . .
Castle Lipgloss and Hair do-dads


3rd Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to me . . . .
A coloring book and two work books


4th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to me . . .
Tin of Cookies

5th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to me . . .
Flower Magnet

6th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to me . . .

Stickers and a Sticker Book

7th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to me . . .

SILLY STRING!!

Mom can't find that picture . . . give her a minute!!

8th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to Me . . .

GUM!!

9th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to Me . . .

CD

10th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to Me . . .

Bubble GUM

11th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to Me . . .

Water Toy

12th Day of Christmas my Grammy gave to Me . . .

Bear Nativity

Grammy, thank you for creating such special traditions! I know that each of your granddaughters are going to grow up with wonderful memories of their Grammy, spending time with Grammy, and her creating special things just for them! When they are all grown up, Christmas time will be super special because not only will they remember the birth of their Savior, their families, but they will remember they had on VERY SPECIAL AMAZING GRAMMY who made Christmas and other days very special to them!!

Get Healthy Check In

Doing my reporting on myself and my progress of getting healthy!

Eating Healthy - going well!
Exercise - going good, could be better . . . gotten busy with all the holiday stuff!
Food journal - not good, I need to work on that!!

I have survived the holidays thus far by allowing myself one treat at each party, event, and holiday event that has sweet associated with it! If not, I know I would have crashed and burned a long time ago! Plus, it is helping to learn to eat sweet in moderation! I did budge on the no potatoes and white rice on Sunday . . . we forgot to cook brown rice for me and well . . . I can't pass up potato curry, beef curry, eggplant curry, and all the like! So, I helped my self to a small portion of white rice and potato curry with all the rest! It is fabulous that on most Sundays I can enjoy our tradition of Curry Sunday without breaking any of my diet rules!!

To date, I have lost 22 pounds! Yeah!! I would like to lose another 15 pounds! So, I thank you for being patient with me on the whole reporting on here . . . . but, it does help to know that I would like to report success and not tell you all that I failed!! It is motivating!! Even if not a single soul out there cares, it makes me feel like I am responsible to someone!! So, off I go to work on the other 15 pounds! Wish me LUCK!!

I am stressed out a little about the point that I get all the weight I want off and what to do then! I am stressed over figuring out the number of calories I burn in a "lazy" day so that I can keep the weight off by eat less than I burn! But, that is a ways off . . . however, I am stressing now because I really don't want to lose all this just to turn around and gain it back plus some!! Got any tips on that aspect of life??

Weekend Happenings - - ALL ABOARD!

We had quite a busy weekend here at our house! We have been delivering neighbor gifts! Kaiya loves that!!!



Friday, she built herself a gingerbread house! Aside from "gluing up the walls" it is all done by her! I think she did a pretty good job! It of course is already being eaten, which is exactly what ginger bread houses are for, right?

Saturday morning, we woke up early to head to Clarkdale for a train ride! That is right, a train ride! Now, unless I am missing a memory, Kaiya nor I have ever been on a real train! So, this year, after three years of thinking about it, we decided to go for the Santa Claus Express! It was a fun 4 hour round trip train ride with hot chocolate, elfs, Santa, carols, beautiful views, and just a good time! We enjoyed it completely! Here are a few photos from that adventure!!

We hope all of you had a great weekend! And that this upcoming week will be joy filled!!

The Nutcracker

We created a tradition in our home when we moved. We decided we would attend The Nutcracker Ballet every year with Kaiya. This in hopes of giving her the CULTURAL experience and of course create teaching moments of how to behave at such events! Last year, she loved it right up until intermission, post intermission she was a little wiggly and wanted to leave.

We attended The Nutcracker again last night for the 2008 season! She loved it! She was caught up in the action and a little miffed when she couldn't see all the action on stage. She kept asking me what each dance was. On our way to the restroom during intermission, she said, "Mom, The Nutcracker is the BEST MOVIE you have ever shown me!" I had to giggle because through out the performance along with asking what each dance was, she would say, "Mom, are those real people?"

After the nutcracker, we of course took a picture by the tree in the lobby and headed for hot coco. Funny thing is, no one had hot coco. Oh well! We have also started a traditon of letting her pick an ornament from The Nutcracker . . . we again picked a Claire ornament! Oh well! Maybe next year she will pick a Nutcracker!!

Sandwich, Please!

Today, Kaiya asked me for a SANDWICH for LUNCH! Specifically, a turkey and roast beef sandwich. We went to the kitchen and instead of MOM making the sandwich, I was told to not touch anything, because she was going to do it herself! She proceeded to get everything out of the fridge that she needed, not so happy to discover there was no roast beef. She climbed upon her stool and created herself a turkey sandwich with mayonnaise and mustard, all by herself! I did cut it into triangles for her! I being a 1st and only time mom, of course had a catch the event in pictures!

I do wonder how that big puddle of mustard in the middle of her turkey tasted . . . must have been great because she ate the whole thing!!

Yeah!

I just have to share my OVERWHELMING JOY! Yep, that is what I said! This morning, before I got dressed, I decided to try on some of my shorts and capris just to see if any of them are fitting better! I started with the larger smaller than I was size and worked backwards! Finally, I got out a pair of capris that I wore on our HONEYMOON! Given, this isn't the smallest I ever was in my life, but it has been a LONG TIME since I have fit into them! I totally figured I would be able to get them on and not zip them up . . . Guess what??

I AM SITTING HERE TYPING in the CAPRIS I wore on my HONEYMOON - - THEY ARE ZIPPED UP AND EVERYTHING!!

Now, I will say they are tighter than they were when I went on my honeymoon, but the fact I can actually get in them, zip them up, and be comfortable is FABULOUS to me!! I can't even tell you how excited I am . . . I am excited enough, that I might post a picture . . . well, maybe not! I wish I had taken a before picture (once again, should have listened to Ginger)! If I had, I would have posted a FAT, NOW, WHAT I WANT TO BE pictures!! I will see if I can find a pretty close FAT picture to post!!

I will say this, in the average sizing for a woman of 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, etc! I am down 4 size from what I was when I started! I don't feel that much smaller . . . weird! NOT COMPLAINING at all!! I do have to say, my wish is to be able to fit into shorts I wore my freshman year at BYU-Hawaii - 1996-1997! Can I undo 12 years of weight gain??

I just can't believe I am sitting comfortably in a pair of pants I wore on my honeymoon!!! Yippee!! Ok, I am going to go try on some more of the SMALLEST size in my closet pants - - MY WARDROBE OPTIONS have really opened up!! See ya . . . I am off to see what else I can fit into!!

Visitors from the COLD!

We have had a pretty FUN week! It started with Kaiya's Preschool program and ended with some visitors from the NORTH! Our friends, Wes, Rachel, and Lauren, from Canada stopped by for a quick visit. I haven't seen them since June of 2007 and Prasan hasn't seen them since we moved from Las Vegas in 2006. We had lots of fun!! Well, the wives and two girls had lots of fun! Poor Wes fell ill while they were at Disneyland, so he kindly made a big detour for us! We fed them well, and found Wes a doctor. Prasan was at work except for in the evenings!

Rachel and I took the girls to the Temple to see the Christmas lights. Kaiya could have stayed there all night long! We also had a play date at our house while they were here. Which was fun for little Lauren to be around all those big girls, make an ornament, and play duck, duck, goose!

Kaiya and Lauren by the Camel

Trying to take a picture together . . .

but, Kaiya was busy POSING!

Getting a picture of Rach and Lauren . . . wait, who is that?

Kaiya popped in too!

Rachel with our two CUTE girls!

Needless to say, we have lots of fun! I am so grateful for Rachel's friendship! She is one of those people who no matter how long it has been since we talked or saw each other it never changes! I love having friends like that! We stayed up way later than we probably should have every night talking! Thank you Rachel for coming! It was so GOOD seeing you! Now, here is hoping to seeing you again this summer - - CROSS our FINGERS!!

Performing and Santa

We had quite the busy day today! Kaiya had her end of the semester Preschool Program this morning. She did a wonderful job! I love her teacher and aide! They are fabulous!! Kaiya loves to go to school and never once complains or groans about it!! So, I attempted to video a little bit of it for relatives that are far away and would have been there in a heart beat if they could Which means, the rest of you get to enjoy it too!! You will need to turn the music off down below to hear it . . .

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

(Please note, I have no idea how that picture of her from Idaho got on the video. It isn't there in the editing software . . . so, after multiple tries, I have decided it really wants to be there and am letting it stay!!)

After the program, we went to see Santa. I figured kill two birds with one stone since she was all dressed up Christmas like! She LOVED seeing Santa this year! I think she had a bigger smile than I have seen in a long time! She told him she wanted a barn with horse and a leapster. As we were leaving, Santa commented that she was the first child that asked for a play barn with horse this year. She must have caught him off guard!! Her picture turned out pretty cute!!

Santa and Kaiya (see her fabulous shoes??)

She got to wear her FABULOUS CHRISTMAS shoes that GRAMMY made for her! She loved them! Grammy makes them for the grandgirls each one time! Kaiya got lucky this year! She loves them!! Thank you GRAMMY!!!

Hand me down trees and friends

Kaiya lucked out and got a hand me down tree from Grammy's. I am sure it use to be mine, and instead of sitting in a closet for the rest of it life, it has been put to good use in her bedroom. We couldn't find the ornaments that went with it . . . so, we ran to Wally World! And came across a cheap and cute set of Pink and Purple ornaments, tree skirt, and garland. So, she decorated her tree all by herself and she loves it!! She was so excited to show it to the boy friend and her other friend (the little sister).

The friend who is a boy . . . the first picture . . . . . not to embarrassed . . . but we have the hand in the way . . . . .

Trying to get a cute one without the hand and we get a little silly about it . . . .








Kiddie like is so cute!!

Randomness

Well, I just have a ton of randomness today!!

First, I want to say, even with my little bit of Thanksgiving weight gain, I still have lost weight! And the good news is, I can fit into some jeans two size smaller than my fat jeans . . . my FAT JEANS are again MY FAT JEANS!! And some of the jeans in the size between the fat jeans and the two size smaller jeans appear to be falling off me when I wear them!! YIPPEE!! It feels so good to have my fat jeans back to fat jeans!! I can't tell you how excited I am! Second, my tummy doesn't poke out the same distance as my bum . . . so, it is great to have that non balanced look back!! Ha ha!!

Next, I have been wanting a change for a while . . . and I am too SCARED to make it a permanent one, so I went for a temporary until I can decide! I darkened my hair a little bit . . . Ginger, I feel sort of inspired by you, though I didn't do it to copy you! I just get tired of the bleached out look . . . Will maybe post a picture later . . . when my little photographer gets home!!!


We decorated our house finally!! LOVE IT!! So, I have so many nativities . . . not really, but it sort of feels like it!! Picture of a few of my favorites!!! Thank you MOM for your wisdom in always making a Nativity or Christmas ornament the souvenir for me during your world travels!! I love them!! I do have to say, I like the Nativities the best!!

MY FAVORITE of ALL TIME - from CHINA!

Nativity from Nepal

Nativity from Indonesia made out of BAMBOO!!


Next, is a picture of Kaiya being silly! She helped decorate the tree this year. In the process she came across Santa's glasses that he accidentally left at my house when I was like 12 or 13 years old! The year I decided maybe he didn't exist, the made sure to let me know he was real! I guess I should try to return those to him . . . but, I am certain nearly 17 years later he has probably gotten a new pair!! Sorry Santa! So, here is Kaiya playing in Santa's glasses!! She is so silly!!!

CHEESE!! We might be Harry Potter for Halloween next year!! Ha ha!!

Depressing

Not that anyone cares! But, for the sake of keeping myself accountable - - remember I am using you poor souls to keep me accountable!!

The depressing news of a scale! I did so well at holding my 11 lbs weight loss through Thanksgiving day! I picked the things I splurged on and kept their serving size small. I even lost 1 lb. through Thanksgiving day itself. Then, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday came with the leftovers and my serving sizes still watched, I gained back 2 lbs! I am slightly NOT HAPPY right now! Especially when I think I could be down a few more pounds by now! Oh well!

Monday, I hit the diet and exercises routine HARD again! Gotta get back into the "no cheating" mind frame!! It is amazing how allowing yourself to cheat A LOT on one day makes you feel like you have to have things . . I have cravings when prior I had none and was so strong! So, back to the get healthy mind frame!!!

Here is to kicking my bum into gear and getting back on the strict adherence to my PLAN!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Here is to everyone having a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!! We hope you all get to celebrate with those you are grateful for close by!! We have so much to be grateful for at this time!!

Well, I am off! Gotta go check on the 16 pound turkey, finish the cheese ball, green onions, rolls, and green bean casserole! OH! I almost forgot the Brussels Sprouts!! Thanksgiving at our house isn't complete without Brussel Sprouts!! YUMMY!!

Enjoy the day!!

Check In!

Just checking in with my GOALS for getting healthy! To date I have lost 11 pounds!! YEAH!! I am doing really well sticking to no white flour, sugar, gluten, etc (with the exception of Mommies night and the mini Reunion - - I had a few chips and salsa)!! Lots easier than I thought it would be!! Food journal, not so great! Working out at least 3 - 4 times a week . . . mostly 5 times!

I am grateful to be down one pant size already!! Yippie!! Here is to that 20 lbs. by Christmas!!!

Thanksgiving

Does anyone else feel like Thanksgiving is getting a little bit brushed over? At the beginning of the month, I was sort of irritated with the fact that Christmas was out in stores on Nov. 1st. I enjoy Thanksgiving! In the past two weeks, I have seen lots of houses with their Christmas lights up . . . . it seems like more this year than any other year we have almost forgotten Thanksgiving! Does anyone else felt that way??

Well, I am going to cave and get my Christmas decorations out of the attic to check on them and start planning where they will go! I do have to be honest, on most days, I hate the little "half wall" between our "den" and living areas, but for CHRISTMAS it will be FANTASTIC! I will finally have somewhere to display all my NATIVITIES with out squishing them in places! Yippee!! However, nothing is going up until after Thanksgiving Dinner!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Thankful

Friday, November 21, we attended a sort of "mini high school reunion" with a bunch of friends! I have to be honest, it was better than ANY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION I can imagine ever going to. The reason, everyone there was a friend, there was no competition to show each other up, just genuine desires to meet our spouses, kids, and spend some time like in the good ol' days!

During the time period approaching this reunion, I had pondered upon these friends I would soon see again. And honestly, I am SO THANKFUL for such a wonderful group of friends. I haven't seen some of them for 10 - 13 years, and yet that friendship was still there. I am so grateful for their friendship during H.S. as well as our continued friendship through our adult life. I have to honestly say, it was almost like waiting for Christmas morning to come!!

We had a great time! Chatted, joked, roasted marshmallows, ate smore's (yes, I broke my diet for 1/4 of a graham cracker smore!), some played sand volleyball like old times, and we finished the party up in style by heading to Chili's for some more chit chat and a little food.

Sadly, no everyone from the group was able to come, and we missed them! But, it was so fun to have the majority of us there! Too bad we all don't live in the same area allowing us all to get together! I think we have decided we must do this more often especially with those who do live near by! Everyone has married into really cool spouse's that just seemed to fit with the group!

To my wonderful friends, I just say THANK YOU! Thank you for being in my life, for being part of my life, and for adding to my life! I think I am truly a lucky person!! And may we continue to be friends until we are to senile to know one another, may that day never come!!